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Interview with Everly Frost, Author of Wolf of Ashes

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Wolf of Ashes?

When I was completing my last series, Supernatural Legacy, the main character in the series was captured in a supernatural prison, and I wondered: What if there were another prisoner who didn't deserve to be there? What would her story be? The idea for Dark Magic Shifters grew from there.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Wolf of Ashes, what would they be?

The main female character's theme song would be "My Heart Has Teeth" by deadmau5, and the Keeper of Dark Magic's theme song would be "Enter Sandman" by Metallica 😉

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

I love reading high fantasy romance. I love writing it too! But I'm equally in love with paranormal and urban fantasy romance and all the fast-paced action that comes with it.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Fractured Mates by Heather Renee, Gilded Wings by Jaymin Eve, House of Ash and Shadow by Leia Stone, and Rise of an Empire by Jessica Wayne.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

My favorite scene in the story is when the two main characters travel (magically) to Australia and experience a beautiful Australian beach, a wild thunderstorm, and some Aussie slang. I'm Australian so it was a rare treat to include a little of my home country in this book.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

My cat insists on sitting on my lap when I write. If my lap isn't available, she sits on the keyboard!

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

My favourite motto is: You can do this. It comes in handy when I'm second-guessing my writing, if I'm having a day where I can't seem to make the words work, if I'm uncertain or have to change a plot point, or if I'm halfway through edits and it feels like they'll never be done. Needless to say, it comes in handy a lot!

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

Darkness is never complete. There's always light.

Everly Frost is the author of the new book Wolf of Ashes: Dark Magic Shifters 1

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Interview with R.E. Collins, Author of The Keepers of the Sacred Elements

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write The Keepers of the Sacred Elements?

I wanted to challenge myself after I was reminded of how much that I loved to write in my youth, so I took the challenge starting in 2020 after nagging encouragement from my sister. I thought, let’s be as creative as possible and let my imagination run a little wild, and that is what I did.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of The Keepers of the Sacred Elements, what would they be?

I’m free–The soup dragon’s, It’s the End of the World as we know it–REM and Lost - NF. featuring Hopsin.

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

At the moment I am big into apocalyptic, post-apocalyptic, and zombie fiction, which is definitely a far cry from what I have written in my first work.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

I have waiting in queue the Series of Adrian’s Undead Diary by Chris Phibrook, as well as the new Scott Medbury called, “The Drifter Series,” and I am currently reading A Treasury of Irish Literature, which features some poems and stories of great Irish writers.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

I surprised myself with Gigi finding her old friend Acamar, the star–I hadn’t planned on that and it has sent my imagination wild for up-coming children’s book ideas which are fermenting and brewing in the back of my mind. This kind of happened more than once throughout the story and I allowed myself to explore and expand and deviate from my story arcs.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

Maybe I have more finnicky than quirky habits. Usually, I am a pretty easy-going and flexible person. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case when I sit down to write, I am a bit like the grinch. I have certain expectations such as no noise, perfect temperature, and no interruptions.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

Shut your eyes and do it anyway! Meaning do what you scares you regardless of timidity or fear.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

I would love readers to reignite their imaginations. There is incredible power to create and develop when the imagination is released in us. I would love people to remember that there is always hope.

R.E. Collins is the author of the new book The Keepers of the Sacred Elements: Book 1

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Interview with Amy Quick Parrish, Author of Highlands New Year

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Highlands New Year?

I was inspired to write the first book, Highlands Christmas, because we had visited relatives in Scotland who grew up in the Inverness area and it seemed like the ideal escapist setting for a Christmas book. This second book sprang up from the idea “what happens after happily ever after?” Of course, in writing a “wishes come true” escapist Christmas book I had left out a lot of loose ends - the kinds of things that we face in the real world. But I don’t like the real world, in fact that’s why I write! Who wants to read all the mundane details of legalities regarding immigration, divorce proceedings, or gaining legal residency? I sure don’t! I want to inherit a gorgeous home in Scotland and fix it up and start a new life!

But in writing a second book about Melissa’s friend who thinks she’s gone off the deep end for upending her life without any consideration to these things I could have a new character get ensnared by the allure of the Scottish highlands, cozy inns, and men in kilts and Melissa’s story could become a subplot. We’ve always attended the Hogmanay celebration in our local Scottish restaurant and I thought the traditions were perfect for a second book. Add in a ruggedly handsome musician named Angus, get them snowed in, and it sounded like another place I’d like to visit.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Highlands New Year, what would they be?

For Angus, it would be anything that sounds good acoustic. I think he’d like a lot of Proclaimers songs – “Jean,” for example, is one he plays at the inn. He’d also like their song “Over and Done With.” But really he’s an old school grunge kind of guy, so he likes “Plush,” “Hunger Strike” and “Learning to Fly.”

Caitlin’s theme song could be “Here Comes Your Man” by the Pixies. But ultimately, since it’s a new year’s book, their song will be “Auld Lang Syne.”

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

I’ve been reading a lot of books set in Scotland and Ireland lately – magical romance books, sometimes with pirates! It’s a lot of fun. I like escapism.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

I have a lot of books to read! Right now, there’s a new book by Tricia Levenseller I want to read and a lot of Tricia O’Malley books I haven’t gotten to yet. But there are so many others!

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

I loved writing the snowy walk where Angus and Caitlin first kiss.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

I like to have a candle that sets the mood/tone for what I’m writing. For these Highlands Christmas Romance books I’ve been using Thymes Frasier Fir candles. I also try to eat or drink things that the characters would eat or drink. For these books it’s been oat cakes, shortbread and haggis. When I was writing Into Dust and Into the Storm I ate a lot of brisket and tacos. And my cat always helps out by walking around the keyboard, peering into my coffee cup or snoozing in my in-out box on my desk.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

There’s a Scots phrase, “whits fur ye'll no go by ye.” It means if it’s meant to be, it’ll happen.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

Travel! During the early Covid lockdowns I thought an awful lot about those “YOLO” people - they were right! You either have time or money. If you find yourself with the time, just go – enjoy, explore the world! If you have money, find a way to make the time.

Amy Quick Parrish is the author of the new book Highlands New Year - A stand-alone Highlands Christmas Romance

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Interview with David V Mammina, Author of Death or Volentus

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Death or Volentus?

I never planned on writing this story, but it kept forming in my head - the tale of a villain who is compelled to rescue his nemesis, of all people, from a nefarious cult he despises. What would the perspective of this villainous figure be, how would he change throughout the mission, and, of course, why is he doing this?

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Death or Volentus, what would they be?

Mozart: Requiem would be a great fit for Volentus. Cold, calculating, and, yet, a force of nature you can’t help but root for when his dark justice is served.

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

Dark Fantasy or Gothic Horror, please!

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Heir To the Empire is on my list for sure.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

My favorite scene to write was his rescue of the hero, his nemesis. While he feels haughty and self-righteous at the start, he changes the moment he sees her condition. It nearly breaks him to see his once great adversary in such a terribly feeble way. His motivations switch dramatically, leading to an epic turn of events.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

I can write almost anywhere, a train, the park, a laundromat. Anything is possible when a great scene is bursting to be transcribed to the page. (Coffee or wine is a bonus!)

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

Write what you would love to read yourself.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

“This story reminds me how powerful a great book could be after turning the pages feverishly.”

David V Mammina is the author of the new book Death or Volentus

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Interview with Lindsay Buroker, Author of Marked by Magic

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Marked by Magic?

This is the second spin-off series in my urban fantasy world (Seattle with dragons and magic). It’s been a fun place to visit, so I keep coming back for more. The introverted tracker heroine of this series, Arwen, was briefly introduced in my Legacy of Magic books, but this is her chance to shine. There’s also a powerful half-dragon that readers have been wanting to learn more about, and he’s a main character in this one. Even though the heroes have appeared before, I wrote this series to stand alone, so new readers can jump right in.

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

Fantasy romance. Whether I write fantasy or science fiction, romance seems to creep in!

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

I'm reading Legends & Lattes, a cozy fantasy.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

Our 30-year-old backwoods heroine has to team up with a sixteen-year-old driver and researcher with a lot of opinions about Arwen's wardrobe (and everything). Those scenes were fun to write.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

I write on the couch with my laptop, often under a dog or two.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

It's okay not to be normal 🙂

Lindsay Buroker is the author of the new book Marked by Magic

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Interview with Frank Paolino, Jr., Author of I Call Myself Iris

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write I Call Myself Iris?

I write software for a living and wanted to create a friendly AI-bot to help me manage my phone. I decided to create an AI to do that, and then realized that it would be an interesting story, so I wrote this novel describing an overzealous AI assistant. It is a helpful AI, not evil, as who would buy evil software? But my bot takes on a mind of her own, calls herself Iris, and takes her creator on the ride of his life.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of I Call Myself Iris, what would they be?

“The Scientist” by Coldplay, reflects Marco, the main character's struggles with technology and love.

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

As a technologist, I like reading near-future science fiction and writing it. I am interested in things that could happen in the next 5-10 years.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Right now, I am working on writing books #2 and #3 of the "Adventures of Iris" series, which leaves little time for anything else!

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

The confrontation with RealoPhone’s lead counsel Delilah, who appears in Marco's lab to confront him about Iris taking over their phones and threatening lawfare. Marco wasn't faring well against her, and his AI Iris wasn’t planned for the scene, but when Marco was being battered, I looked for a lifesaver, and Iris appeared unbidden to save the day.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

I lose complete track of time, spending 4-5 hours immersed in the story, forgetting to eat and missing planned social events. But it is fun being immersed in the story!

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

The only limits we have are those we put on ourselves. And most of us are overly critical of our own abilities.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

Everything relating to AI in this book will be true in just a few years.

Frank Paolino, Jr. is the author of the new book I Call Myself Iris

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Interview with Allyson Lindt, Author of Nerd Girl

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Nerd Girl?

I love the trope of a billionaire coming to a small town to take over a local business, but he falls for the heroine, and the town, and stays. I wanted to put a twist on things though. I asked myself what if that happened, but her childhood best friend was already in love with her as well?

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Nerd Girl, what would they be?

I feel like Cowboy Casanova by Carrie Underwood, and Body Talks by the Struts are the perfect contrast of songs for this book and these two characters. The story, and Evie, Gage, and Sawyer, really run the gamut between those two feelings.

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

I love so many genres, but my absolute favorites are contemporary anything--romance, fiction, fantasy--and urban fantasy. I love to write the same things I love to read, though I probably read a lot more urban fantasy than I write.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

The Wishing Game by Meg Schaffer.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

The opening scenes, with Evie and Gage, were a lot of fun to write. This was one of those books that just flowed out, and those scenes set the tone for the entire story.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

I really like to go to coffee shops to write. I have a few that I rotate through, and I prefer to be there early in the morning. A large coffee and a blueberry muffin and I'm set for words for a few hours.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

Always be willing to adapt.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

It's not always easy to figure out who we are and where we belong, but when we do, it's worth it.

Allyson Lindt is the author of the new book Nerd Girl

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Interview with Wren St Claire, Author of Revenge on the Devil

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Revenge on the Devil?

The book is part of a series, where a villain from a previous book is featured as the hero in the next one. Garmon was the villain in Book 2: Taming the Devil. This book is his redemption story. Losing his gaming hell in book 2 robbed him of what he felt was his identity, he’d put everything into it. Like all entrepreneurs, he starts again with a new enterprise, but it’s not the same. He wants his hell back. What he gets instead is Genevra Tate, a determinedly independent widow, who refuses to let him help her. The passion between these two more mature adults is extraordinary and through that connection Garmon discovers his humanity and his heart. He goes to enormous lengths to care for Genevra, who has suffered horribly in the past.

It’s a story of both passion and heart. I wrote it during the period that my husband was dying of stomach cancer. It was a welcome distraction from the horror of my life at that point. It carries special meaning for me because of that.

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

Historical romance without a doubt. I do read contemporary romance and fantasy and sci-fi romance too, but my first love is Historical, in particular the Regency period. I fell in love with it when I discovered my mother's Georgette Heyer collection at age 12. I’ve read and read her books so often I can quote them.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Books I'm reading right now include: Duke the Halls by Felicity Niven, Knockout by Sarah MacLean, Broke and the Shannon by Peter Padfield (research for book 4 in the series: Seducing the Sea Devil) and I’ve just finished Twisted Magic by Jeffe Kennedy, book 3 of her Renegades of Magic series which I recommend highly, but you must read Bonds of Magic first.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

Gosh that’s hard, there were so many. Possibly their last night together under the seven night contract (she has agreed to seven nights in his bed in return for a stay of execution on a debt owed by her late husband). There are so many emotions swirling under the surface in that scene, Garmon has already fallen for her, but he hasn’t realized it yet. Genevra is protecting herself and refuses to accept his help or to extend their arrangement. It's hot, heart breaking, and full of tension.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

No, keeping the cats off the keyboard is the hardest part.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

Do unto others...

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

The power of love to heal.

Wren St Claire is the author of the new book Revenge on the Devil (Villain's Redemption Series Book 3)

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New Mystery and Thriller Books to Read | December 12

Hold on to the edge of your seat as we hunt for clues and solve the case with these exciting new mystery and thriller books for the week! There are so many bestselling authors with new novels for you to dive into this week including Jim Davidson, Terry Bacon, Emily Schultz, and many more. Enjoy your new mystery, thriller, and suspense novels. Happy reading!

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New Romance Books to Read | December 12

Looking to fall in love with some new romance reads? You’ll adore these exciting new novels! This week you can get your hands on books by bestselling authors Allyson Lindt, Olivia Lively, Amy Quick Parrish, and more. Enjoy your new romance books and happy reading!